The Unpopular Woman Love Post

[bofoddity.livejournal.com]

It's pretty natural that some female characters do worse in fandom than others, right? And sometimes it's difficult, if not downright impossible, to find a place where you can fan these characters in peace, or fellow fans to fan them with. Not to mention trying to find fanworks about them. Experience says: It hard.

So, stealing the idea shamelessly from doyle_sb4's Women of Doctor Who celebration post, here is a love post for the unpopular female characters. Like in doyle_sb4's post, you start a thread with the character's name and their respective fandom in the subject line, after which people are free to share fic and vid recs, picspams, links to essays, defenses or simply thoughts of love about the character in question. Because unpopularity is a subjective thing most of the time, the character doesn't have to be somebody you know to be the fandom underdog for sure, but if the character also has a large number of fans it would be good to give some reasons about why they're hated and why it's wrong. Links to the character threads will be collected in this post.

Being a post for unpopular characters, this is a bashing free post. If you have any negative opinions about the characters discussed or the fandom rivals of the character of your choice, please keep them to yourself.

And now, knock yourselves out!

ETA: The character and the fandom should both be named in the subject line, I forgot to mention the fandom initially. Sorry about the inconvenience!

ETA 2: If you want to share you thoughts about a character who has a thread, please reply to the thread in question. General comments and threads for new characters go to the main post.

Threads:

Diana Fowley, X-Files (Vid rec, Fic Recs, Fic recs)
Jennifer Hailey, Stargate: SG1
Sakura, Naruto (Fic recs, Author rec)
Dawn Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Anastasia Dualla, Battlestar Galactica (Comic rec, Reasons why Dee is awesome)
Lana Lang, Smallville (Vid recs)
Maya Herrera, Heroes (Vid rec)
Relena Peacecraft, Gundam Wing (Fic recs)
Cally Henderson-Tyrol, Battlestar Galactica
Gwen Cooper, Torchwood
Jennifer Keller, Stargate: Atlantis (Community link, Fic recs, Fic recs)
Niki Sanders
Freya/Anise, Stargate: SG1 (Fic rec)
Maria Hill, Marvel Comics
Thirteen/Dr. Remy Hadley, House MD (Picspam links)
Bela Talbot, Supernatural (Fic rec, Fic)
Shiori Takatsuki, Revolutionary Girl Utena
Tifa Lockhart, Final Fantasy VII
Max Guevara, Dark Angel (Vid rec, Fic rec)
Elizabeth Swann, Pirates of the Caribbean (Author rec)
Cynthia Velasquez, Silent Hill 4
Allison Cameron, House MD (Meme rec)
Liz Sherman, Hellboy
Dr. Camille "Cam" Saroyan, Bones
Ruby, Supernatural
Chloe Sullivan, Smallville
Sakaki Ouka, Weiss Kreuz
Jo Harvelle, Supernatural
Inara Serra, Firefly (Fic Rec)
Lt. Colonel Hollis Mann, NCIS
Director Jenny Shepard, NCIS
Lilly Kane, Veronica Mars
Kate Austen, Lost
Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Teyla Emmagan, Stargate Atlantis (Link, vid rec)
Alex Drake, Ashes to Ashes
Anya Jenkins, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Fic recs)
Koriand'r, DC Comics
Sam Carter, Stargate SG-1/Atlantis
Ana Lucia, Lost
Padme Amidala, Star Wars
Arwen, The Lord of the Rings
Martha Jones, Doctor Who/Torchwood
Kennedy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Lois Lane, Smallville
Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter
Shmi Skywalker, Star Wars
Mai, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Fic links, Fic links & recs)
Keiko Yukimura, Yu Yu Hakusho
Orihime Inoue, Bleach
Yakumo Tatsuro, Shinzo
Sakuno Ryuzaki, The prince Of Tennis
Tenten, Naruto
Anzu Mazaki, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Temari, Naruto
Himawari, xxxHOLiC
Karen Kouzuki/Kallen Stadtfeld, Code Geass
Yuuki Miaka, Fushigi Yuugi
Meg Griffin, Family Guy
Elliot Reid, Scrubs
Princess Zelda, Legend of Zelda series/Brawl
Mizuki Kaho, Card Captor Sakura
Colette Brunel, Tales of Symphonia
Kaoru Kamiya AND Tomoe Yukishiro, Rurouni Kenshin
Ninian, Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken
Katara, Avatar: The Last Airbender (Vid rec)
Naomi Hunter, Metal Gear Solid
Scheris Adjani, Scryed
Silk Spectre II/Laurie Juspeczyk, Watchmen
Jun the Swan, Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
Hinata Hyuuga, Naruto
Momo Hinamori, Bleach
Miyako Inoue, Digimon 02
Misa Amane, Death Note
Juri Katou, Digimon Tamers
Asuka Tenjoin, Yu-Gi-Oh GX

Comments

Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

Anya!

She didn't always understand how best to be a human, but she tried really hard.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

And she had all the best lines!

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

Haha, your icon! :D

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[lady-ganesh.livejournal.com]

Did you ever see the Youtubes of the French "Once More, With Feeling?" So awesome.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[ryf.livejournal.com]

There are people who don't like her?

She's my favourite BtVS character by far. I just adore her.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

I have seen some criticism of Anya back in the day, mostly for being uncaring, which seems so ironic considering how her relationship with Xander turned out-- I mean it's not like she dumped *him*.

I liked her a lot. She didn't always fit right in with the Scoobies, but that's a very realistic dynamic for a group of people that age; who hasn't had that experience where one of your friends is suddenly in a relationship with this COMPLETE WEIRDO that nobody else in your social group "gets." But she never let it get her down. Plus, how can you not love someone who immediately thinks of the possibilities when her boyfriend gets duplicated? :D

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[ciaan]

Yes, indeed. And it was sweet and hilarious to watch her try. She was so very forward.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

*Hee*. That's a great way to put it.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[ticketsonmyself.livejournal.com]

Anya's my favorite BtVS character! All of the following stories about her are somewhere between Short and Very Short, so enjoy!

The Core of the Apple (http://wisdomeagle.livejournal.com/538811.html?thread=2362299#cutid1). They are as unfamiliar as her new skin, but if she reaches back far enough, she recognizes the squirm in her stomach, the heat in her chest, the sticky, gross feeling at her core. She's feeling human. Anya and Cordelia, on the road after "Graduation Day, Part 2." Sharp voices and vivid prose.

Cake Helps (http://glimmergirl.livejournal.com/1049816.html?format=light#cutid1). If she could think of one harmless enough, they could maybe do another spell. Like, a housewarming spell, except Willow had no idea what that would entail. Sometime between "Same Time, Same Place" and "Him," Willow visits Anya's apartment and tries to mend things, with cake. Awkwardly sweet, gentle, in character.

It's a Myth (http://www.dymphna.net/deadletters/itsamyth.html). Love doesn't always have to be perfect and death doesn't always have to be sad. That's a myth. Anya passes on a few things she's learned to Buffy. Spoilers through "Into the Woods" only.

Bunny Bunny Oxen-Free (http://lowercasek.mediawood.net/adecadeofbuffy.htm). "You have to admit, it's a very strange sort of vengeance spell," Anya said, pouring a scary large amount of vodka into her glass of orange juice. Anya, Buffy. Snappy, funny dialogue and charming friendship. I'd like this to happen. Spoilers through "Chosen."

Bachelorette Party (http://entrenous88.livejournal.com/449024.html?format=light). “I’m glad that they have a suitably crass and suggestive name. Oh, I hope that they have themed stripping, like men dressed up as sailors or firemen.” Anya, Buffy, Willow, Tara, Dawn. Perfect voices and characterization. No spoilers for "Hell's Bells."

Untitled, Anya's bachelorette party (http://lunabee34.livejournal.com/77113.html?format=light#cutid1). “Okay, Anya. Looks like I’m always the Chosen One.” Just under 300 words of fun! Perfect dialogue. No spoilers for "Hell's Bells."

Useful Commodities (http://www.estepheia.com/viewstory.php?action=printable&sid=37&textsize=0&chapter=1). “Chains. Kinky,” is her comment, followed by: “Please tell me the current state of your mental health. Are you sane or should I come back later?” Anya talks; Spike mostly listens. Snappy, wry character voices and insights. Spoilers through "First Date."

into the sunset (http://www.obsessivetendencies.net/am/anya.html). Wishes are fairy tales, and curses, too. Excellent imagery. 100 words. Spoilers for "Hell's Bells."

Too Much (http://blueanddollsome.livejournal.com/25291.html?thread=132555&format=light#cutid1).

“‘Cause nothing keeps ya in the mood like the talk of global capitalism.”

“Oh, I know!” Anya nodded vigourously.

Sometime before "Triangle," a perfect snapshot of character dynamics between Anya, Willow, and Xander. 265 words.

The Anya & Xander fanlisting, You Wanted More (http://www.chosentwo.com/xanderanya/couple.php), has icons, quotes, lyrics to the songs they sang in "Once More With Feeling," and a gallery with lots of screen captures. Pretty design, too!

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

You are so awesome! Thanks for all these recs! :)

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[ticketsonmyself.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I love to spread the Anya lovin'. (And your icon is beautiful!)

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[asgaja.livejournal.com]

I think the fact that despite not having been human in so very long she was probably one of the most human characters of the bunch. She was always the one I found myself relating to and even when I knew how the whole thing would end, I just wanted a happy ending for her. Few characters have ever made me want to squish and hug them as much as Anya has.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

So true. Anya wasn't always sympathetic but somehow you always ended up *feeling* for her.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[rhianwen-24601.livejournal.com]

Oh, Anya. I love her beyond all reason. There's just something about her combination of relentlessly perky and ruthlessly honest that cracks me up. Where Anya goes, comedy gold seems to follow.

Re: Anya Jenkins, BtVS

[liviapenn.livejournal.com]

*hee hee* I would totally have watched The Anya And Xander Show. It would have been awesome.